Romain Grosjean will hope to bounce back from his Abu Dhabi disappointment next weekend when F1 heads to Texas for the first time.
Grosjean was forced to retire from the Yas Marina race after being caught p in an incident with Sergio Perez and Mark Webber, leaving him to watch from the sidelines as team-mate
Kimi Raikkonen secured victory.
The Frenchman was therefore left with mixed emotions at the end of the race but will hope to stay out of trouble at the Circuit of the Americas to help Lotus once again fight towards the front.
“For me it wasn't one of the best days, but for the team it was a fantastic day with the win for Kimi,” he said. “It was the win we were waiting for and it's unbelievable for the whole team. I was running pretty well and could have finished with good points too.
“Unfortunately Sergio returned to the track in the middle of a battle he was having and he wanted to use the part of the track I was on. There was nothing I could do as you can't make your car disappear. Sergio was penalised for the incident and it did mean we saw another safety car period. Mark was caught up in it too, but he didn't have any stern words for me this time.
“It was unbelievable for the team. It had looked as if the chance of a win was escaping from us, but we've kept pushing and the top step was a fantastic reward. Kimi did a fantastic job. The car is there and although this race wasn't the one we were expecting to win, we did. Hopefully the good results continue, starting in Austin.”
Grosjean will be competing on American soil for the first time and said he had spoken to test driver Jerome D'Ambrosio for advice, with the Belgian having already visited the circuit near Austin that will host the race.
“I've spoken to Jerome so I have a little idea of what to expect,” he said. “On top of that I've worked with simulations of the track, and it's easy for me to play Xbox when I am travelling so I can get an idea from that too.
“I don't think it will be the easiest circuit to learn and there are a few fast corners which look like they will be a challenge. The first corner certainly looks to be good fun.”